Downtime Post-Session: 13 - Game Date 12.13.1995 - 12.19.1995

Pleas and Politics

David Starling, Grace Prentiss (Beryl).

David contacts FSS Agent Susan Chen about Aura's paperwork. Agent Chen informs him that the criminal background check on Aura has revealed that she has a criminal record in Russia. David tells Agent Chen that he will check with Aura and report on the situation when the group returns to town.

Grace does not want to go to prison but understands that that might be the consequences for her prior criminal acts. David tells her that he will do his best to get the mayor's support for putting her into the Wardens' custody.

David and Grace meet with Mayor Andrew Perry. David presents his case on Grace/Beryl's behalf. He first shows that all of her past crimes were property crimes and did not involve injury to bystanders. David also points out that the assault charges and assaulting an officer charges were all cases where Beryl had trapped people in an energy field and no injuries had resulted. David then goes on to present an argument for the great threat that the Darkling Entity and his minions had posed to the city and its residents. He then points out that Grace/Beryl voluntarily risked her life to fight against the Darkling Entity's minions and helped save the city. David then presents his proposal to the mayor for Grace/Beryl to be remanded to the custody of the Wardens and that under their supervision she would perform community service for a court determined period of time. He also states that she would make monetary restitution to the victims of her crimes. Mayor Perry says that he will take the matter under consideration and will be in touch with David and Grace prior to her hearing on Friday.

David is contacted by FSS Agent Susan Chen. She tells him that the Russian Consulate through State Department channels had been making inquiries about Aura because of the FSS criminal background check. The Russian Consulate had made it clear that if Aura was in the custody of the FSS, that they wanted her extradited promptly to stand trial in Russia. Agent Chen tells David that the FSS had told the State Department that an investigation was being conducted and no arrests had been made. Agent Chen reiterates that it is imperative that Aura contacts the FSS as soon as she returns. David tells Chen that he will make sure that Aura contacts the FSS upon her return. David calls and leaves messages for Mandrake and Nightstick regarding the Aura situation.

David and Grace are upset that the mayor has not contacted them as they enter the courtroom for the arraignment hearing. As the hearing is starting, the mayor's legal council, Arleigh Shaw, enters the courtroom. She asks to speak with Judge Franklin and District Attorney Hidalgo in the judge's chambers. Judge Franklin consents and he along with the attorneys, David and Grace adjourn to his chambers. Shaw gives the judge and district attorney an information packet and explains that the mayor is currently reviewing the case and would like for a continuance be granted until Monday. After reviewing the packet, Hidalgo says that she has no objections and Judge Franklin agrees to postpone the arraignment until Monday. Shaw informs David and Grace as they are leaving that the mayor would like to meet with them over dinner on Sunday evening at his residence.

David and Grace go to the mayor's for dinner. Mayor Perry explains that he has reviewed the situation and that due to its complexities, his political situation would be very tenuous no matter which side he takes on the issue. After some debate, he thinks a solution has been reached which will be best for both his political situation and for Grace's benefit. Mayor Perry then proposes his solution. He will back Grace's plea for community service and restitution, if she serves the community service in another city. He states that this solution will allow Grace to avoid a prison sentence and also avoid the negative publicity aspect of allowing her to stay in San Francisco. David tells the mayor that he will consider the offer. Mayor Perry tells David that it is the only offer that will be made and it is take it or leave it. Grace accepts the mayor's offer.

At her arraignment hearing, Grace pleads guilty to the charges against her. Judge Franklin sentences her to five years probation and community service with a registered Radley-Gold group. The judge also orders that restitution to all victims would be paid by the end of the probation period or the probation period would be extended until such a time as the restitution was settled. Grace is remanded to David Starling's and the Wardens' custody until she can be assigned to a Radley-Gold group to complete her community service.